'Hurdles in the Dark' is a memoir about a kidnapping, juvenile detention and racing

Elvira reflects on her upbringing in Laredo, Texas, and the traumatic experience of her mother's kidnapping, which ultimately led to her unwarranted time in juvenile detention.

Elvira grew up in Laredo, Texas, a vibrant border town with a strong Mexican cultural influence

Elvira recounts her childhood in Laredo, a place where the culture was more Mexican than American. She loved the vibrant community, the Tejano culture, and the excellent food that was part of her everyday life.

As a 14-year-old, Elvira's life was upended when her mother was kidnapped by narcos, forcing Elvira to quickly raise a ransom to secure her mother's release

At the age of 14, Elvira's life dramatically changed when her mother was kidnapped by narcos during a wedding reception in Mexico, close to their home in Laredo. The shocking incident forced Elvira to mature rapidly as she was thrust into the daunting task of raising a ransom. Despite encountering reluctance from wealthier individuals, Elvira's friends and her mother's friends, even from lower-income neighborhoods, contributed to the ransom.

The traumatic kidnapping incident led to Elvira's mother becoming overwhelmed and ultimately calling the police on Elvira, resulting in Elvira being sent to juvenile detention ...

Elvira K. Gonzalez saw athletic excellence, particularly in hurdling, as her chance to pursue higher education—a dream that seemed unattainable for many within her community. Her determination and unique journey highlight not only the potential of sports as a lever for academic opportunities but also the darker challenges faced by young athletes.

Elvira recognized that excelling in athletics could provide her with a means to access higher education, which was an otherwise out-of-reach opportunity for many in her community

Elvira explained her attraction to hurdles, despite not having an initial aptitude for the sport. "I was gravitating towards that, knowing that I'm not good at it, but I think that I can. If I put my mind into it and practice, this could be my ticket to get an education and be the first one in my family to do so," she shared.

Elvira took extraordinary measures, such as breaking into her school's track at dawn and teaching herself hurdling techniques through online videos, in order to pursue her athletic aspirations

Elvira's dedication to hurdling was undeniable. She recounted, "So yeah, I would crawl up the fence and hoping I don't get caught and end up back in juvenile hall. But because it's dark, you can barely see me. So I learned to hurdle in the dark..." Her resourcefulness also led her to self-teach using available online resources, mastering the techniques one jump at a time in the shroud of dawn.

Elvira found a coach who initially seemed supportive but ultimately exploited her, exemplifying the challenges that young athletes, especially girls and people of color, ...

Elvira K. Gonzalez bravely reveals her ordeal of sexual abuse by two trusted coaches as a teenager and discusses the harrowing challenges she faced in speaking up.

Elvira suffered sexual abuse from not one, but two different coaches who she had trusted as mentors

Elvira shares a traumatic part of her past, confiding that she was sexually abused by not one, but two coaches during her adolescent years. These individuals, whom she had looked up to as mentors and leaders in her community, betrayed her trust in the most egregious manner. Elvira recounts that other young girls suffered abuse by one of the coaches, pointing to a disturbing pattern of behavior and a culture of abuse within the athletics domain.

Elvira initially remained silent about the abuse, fearing that no one would believe her or that speaking out would jeopardize her athletic opportunities

The scars of abuse run deep, and Elvira's silence at the time reflects the immense fear and doubt victims often feel. Elvira herself admits that she felt voiceless and powerless, overwhelmed by the belief that her allegations against such well-regarded figures in the community would fall on deaf ears. The potential ramifications on her future loomed large in her mind. Elvira saw her athletic career as her "ticket to freedom," and she grappled with the notion that coming forward with her experience could rob her of this escape and the opportunities that lay ahead.

Elvira's experiences of sexual abuse as a young, Latina athlete highlight the broader ...

Elvira K. Gonzalez, drawing upon her traumatic experiences, has committed herself to coaching with a mission to foster a secure and empowering atmosphere for her young trainees.

Drawing on her own traumatic experiences, Elvira now works as a coach, dedicated to creating a safe and empowering environment for the young athletes she mentors

Elvira K. Gonzalez understands the complexities and dangers lurking in sports coaching, especially the commonplace incidents of sexual abuse. From her personal experiences and from the disturbing stories shared by her athletes, Gonzalez has recognized the critical need for safe spaces in sports.

Elvira places a strong emphasis on teaching her athletes about personal boundaries and recognizing the signs of inappropriate behavior, seeking to prevent the kinds of abuses she endured as a young athlete

To combat these issues, Gonzalez diligently instructs her athletes about personal boundaries and how to detect signs of inappropriate behavior. These lessons are a pillar of her coaching philosophy, aiming to prevent the abuse she and others have suffered.

Elvira's ultimate message to young athletes, especially girls and people of color, is that their voices and stories matter, and that they are not alone in their struggles

Gonzalez passionately conveys to her athletes, particular ...